I really don't mean to make this a Hudler thread... but Mursak has to earn a spot in the lineup first. And beyond that, the Cleary/Zetterberg/Hudler and Cleary/Datsyuk/Hudler lines were absolutely DEADLY combinations last season. So how about we start with:

The third line here is basically a ramped up version of the fourth line in the previous lineup. This lineup also allows for less even strength time for Homer while still keeping him in an effective role; his line has some offensive talent but can be used as a checking line as it is anchored by Abdelkader. I would expect, though, to have something closer to the first lineup but with Abdelkader instead of Brunnstrom.

yeah those all look like good combos to me. I just have a feeling that Mursak is going to be a lot better than most give him credit for, and will eventually make his way up onto the 2nd line. We shall see I guess....

This could turn out well and wont hurt anything. I think the guy wanted to play for the red wings more than dallas anyway, and being able to play with some of the top swedes in the game my jump start his career as it did samuellson's.

I really don't mean to make this a Hudler thread... but Mursak has to earn a spot in the lineup first. And beyond that, the Cleary/Zetterberg/Hudler and Cleary/Datsyuk/Hudler lines were absolutely DEADLY combinations last season. So how about we start with:

The third line here is basically a ramped up version of the fourth line in the previous lineup. This lineup also allows for less even strength time for Homer while still keeping him in an effective role; his line has some offensive talent but can be used as a checking line as it is anchored by Abdelkader. I would expect, though, to have something closer to the first lineup but with Abdelkader instead of Brunnstrom.

Come on really? You say mursak needs to earn a spot but you go ahead and assign Hudler to a first line role? Did i miss something? Last i checked, Hudler was an undersized 2nd/3rd liner healrhy scratch last year, whom has been discussed in numerous trade rumors around Detroit. Theres no denying that babcock isnt a huge fan of him as it is, he doesnt play defense, and refuses to shoot the puck...where in all that did he earn a 1st line spot. I dont like to come in and flame people about stuff, but you somehow turn everything into a Hudler discussion and you make him out to be way better than he is. Its just getting a little old...whenever i see your name in a thread now i know im going to read something about Happy Hudler. Im not a Hudler hater by any stretch, im pretty neutral, but how/when did he earn a first like spot on this team? It baffles me, especially when you come in talking about other players having to earn spots in the lineup, but somehow give Hudler top honors like hes a top 20 player in the league.

I really don't mean to make this a Hudler thread... but Mursak has to earn a spot in the lineup first. And beyond that, the Cleary/Zetterberg/Hudler and Cleary/Datsyuk/Hudler lines were absolutely DEADLY combinations last season. So how about we start with:

The third line here is basically a ramped up version of the fourth line in the previous lineup. This lineup also allows for less even strength time for Homer while still keeping him in an effective role; his line has some offensive talent but can be used as a checking line as it is anchored by Abdelkader. I would expect, though, to have something closer to the first lineup but with Abdelkader instead of Brunnstrom.

I really don't mean to make this a Hudler thread... but Mursak has to earn a spot in the lineup first. And beyond that, the Cleary/Zetterberg/Hudler and Cleary/Datsyuk/Hudler lines were absolutely DEADLY combinations last season.

The third line here is basically a ramped up version of the fourth line in the previous lineup. This lineup also allows for less even strength time for Homer while still keeping him in an effective role; his line has some offensive talent but can be used as a checking line as it is anchored by Abdelkader. I would expect, though, to have something closer to the first lineup but with Abdelkader instead of Brunnstrom.

how about we start with NOT putting Hudler on the first line? Here I thought I would be the one to mention Hudler first.... I hope that Brunnstrom comes in and makes Hudler even MORE expendable...

On topic, this is a very exciting signing...for whatever it is he'll make, I am sure he will earn every penny of it... 20 pts for $500,000. Sure beats 37 pts. for $2.89M...

DAN WHATEVER YOUR f****** NAME IS CLEAR OR CLEARLY GET THE f*** OUT OF THIS TEAM BACK GO f****** LEARN TO PLAY MORON I PERSONALY DON'T GIVE A s*** THAT YR LEG IS f***ET UP, PLEASE LIIVE. ANF BABCOCK PLEASE GET READ OF OUR QUINESSSSSSYYYYY HOLLAND YOU JUST HIT THE JUCK f****** POTT!

lets not forget about players like cleary who have made the team this way, and become part of the core after putting on the winged wheel. I honestly think that putting on such a storied sweater such as the wings can bring the best out of a player.

lets not forget about players like cleary who have made the team this way, and become part of the core after putting on the winged wheel. I honestly think that putting on such a storied sweater such as the wings can bring the best out of a player.

I fully agree. I feel that Brunnstrom could really explode in Detroit. I really hope he gives it his all and wins a roster spot. The talent isdefinately there. We just need to harness it. He could potentially turn outto be an amazing reclaimation project.

Meh I woulda rather seen Owen Nolan come and fill a Dallas Drake type role, cant hurt but doubt he get signed

Isn't Nolan already trying out for the Nucks?

DAN WHATEVER YOUR f****** NAME IS CLEAR OR CLEARLY GET THE f*** OUT OF THIS TEAM BACK GO f****** LEARN TO PLAY MORON I PERSONALY DON'T GIVE A s*** THAT YR LEG IS f***ET UP, PLEASE LIIVE. ANF BABCOCK PLEASE GET READ OF OUR QUINESSSSSSYYYYY HOLLAND YOU JUST HIT THE JUCK f****** POTT!

From Feb. 7th to Feb 28th, it was Hudler/Datsyuk/Cleary for 11 games. Here are the stats:

Hudler 4g-10a-14pt, +7Datsyuk 7g-5a-12pt, +6Cleary 6g-6a-12pt, +5

Yep, not deadly at all. I certainly wouldn't want a line that posts that kind of numbers all year, plus the ability to dress Z, Franzen, and Filppula elsewhere in the lineup.

how about we start with NOT putting Hudler on the first line? Here I thought I would be the one to mention Hudler first.... I hope that Brunnstrom comes in and makes Hudler even MORE expendable...

On topic, this is a very exciting signing...for whatever it is he'll make, I am sure he will earn every penny of it... 20 pts for $500,000. Sure beats 37 pts. for $2.89M...

Hudler posting 37 is a low year, and he has been soundly criticized by just about everyone fot it. Brunnstrom posting 20 would be increasing his career total by 50%, after having only posted 35 points in 72 games in the AHL last year. By comparison, Cory Emmerton missed time injured, spent time in the NHL, and still posted 38 points in 65 games last year. He's also three years younger. So why would we keep Brunnstrom over Emmerton unless Fabio... err, Fabian, is some kind of wunderkind in training camp who will end up posting like 50 or 60 points this season?

Detroit was one of three teams that pursued the much-hyped, late-blooming, undrafted Swedish forward in 2008, but he opted to sign with the Dallas Stars.

"Things just haven't gone the way he wanted to. He actually approached us and said he'd like another opportunity," Nill said. "He knows now what it takes to be a pro after it probably caught him a little off guard being a younger guy from Sweden.

"I think he just said, 'You know what, if I'm going to have a chance to be a pro maybe I can do it in Detroit.' We said, 'You're welcome to come and try out,' and he accepted."

The 26-year-old became just the third player in NHL history to notch a hat trick in his debut on Oct. 15, 2008 against Nashville, and tallied 17 goals, 12 assists and a minus-8 rating in 55 games as a rookie in 2008-09. But he had just two goals and nine assists in 44 games the following season and had trouble adjusting to NHL hockey.

The 6-foot-1, 206-pound left wing was traded to Toronto last season for forward Mikhail Stefanovich, but never played for the Maple Leafs. Instead, he appeared in 35 games for the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, where he had four goals and 10 assists.

The Red Wings' 23-man roster is set. There is no room for any additions without moving a player. Brunnstrom would have to beat out somebody in training camp or the preseason -- Jiri Hudler would be the most likely candidate, but even that is unlikely to happen -- to earn a contract, unless the team suffers a long-term injury before the season.

"It's up to the player coming in. It's much like Mikael Samuelsson or Dan Cleary, who came to camps on tryouts five, six, seven years ago," Nill said. "The opportunity is there, it's just how you play. If he comes in and plays well and is better than somebody else, then we'll make things happen. It's performance-based. If he's somebody that can help us win games, then he's going to be in the mix. But we'll let that play itself out."

It's unclear if Brunnstrom could wind up with the Grand Rapids Griffins."I really haven't talked to him about that," Nill said. "His focus is to come here and make the Red Wings and we'll go from there."

From Feb. 7th to Feb 28th, it was Hudler/Datsyuk/Cleary for 11 games. Here are the stats:

Hudler 4g-10a-14pt, +7Datsyuk 7g-5a-12pt, +6Cleary 6g-6a-12pt, +5

Yep, not deadly at all. I certainly wouldn't want a line that posts that kind of numbers all year, plus the ability to dress Z, Franzen, and Filppula elsewhere in the lineup.

Hudler posting 37 is a low year, and he has been soundly criticized by just about everyone fot it. Brunnstrom posting 20 would be increasing his career total by 50%, after having only posted 35 points in 72 games in the AHL last year. By comparison, Cory Emmerton missed time injured, spent time in the NHL, and still posted 38 points in 65 games last year. He's also three years younger. So why would we keep Brunnstrom over Emmerton unless Fabio... err, Fabian, is some kind of wunderkind in training camp who will end up posting like 50 or 60 points this season?

Well, I think you misread my post. I didn't ever suggest keeping Brunnstrom over Emmerton, I suggested keeping Brunnstrom and ditching Hudler, which would make the most sense from a business point of view. "Nothing personal Jenny... err, Jeri... err, Jiri, just business, we can't have someone making nearly $3M being a healthy scratch every night..."

DAN WHATEVER YOUR f****** NAME IS CLEAR OR CLEARLY GET THE f*** OUT OF THIS TEAM BACK GO f****** LEARN TO PLAY MORON I PERSONALY DON'T GIVE A s*** THAT YR LEG IS f***ET UP, PLEASE LIIVE. ANF BABCOCK PLEASE GET READ OF OUR QUINESSSSSSYYYYY HOLLAND YOU JUST HIT THE JUCK f****** POTT!